The Spurs did not attend the press conference after the G3 game, so the outside world does not know what the Spurs' state was like after losing the game.

Two days later, G4 of the series between the Nuggets and Spurs continued in Denver.

Duncan is out!

Because the Spurs did not attend a press conference before and had closed training before the game, no one knew what happened to the Spurs.

But the result was that Duncan did not appear at the game, not even on the bench!

No one knew until after the game started that Duncan had flown back to San Antonio overnight after the last game.

No one even knows whether he will play in the next game!

Without Duncan, the Nuggets' momentum throughout the game was even higher.

This scene is like the 18th princes fighting at Hulao Pass, only to find that Lu Bu is not there!

Why don't you go into the city to kill Dong Zhuo and snatch Diao Chan?

With both guns on full fire, Lin Ying dispatched the Nuggets team to move in and out, performing various flying and escaping maneuvers.

Although the Spurs played tenaciously, they were defeated at halftime and ultimately lost by a score of 71 to 102.

3 to 1!

The Nuggets seized the opportunity of two home games and got the match point in the series!

They are really going to beat the Spurs!

And if they win the next game, they will return the 4-1 score that the Spurs gave them last year intact!

The future is bright. At the post-game press conference, Anthony even made a joke:

"I'm already thinking about my opponents for the next round."

In the first round of 2003, McGrady led the Magic, which was eighth in the Eastern Conference, to defeat the Pistons, which was ranked first in the Eastern Conference.

After 4 games, the Pistons unexpectedly led 3-1.

At that time, Tracy McGrady was young and energetic, and said this: It feels so good to enter the second round.

This sentence was later translated by the media as "I am already thinking about my opponents in the next round."

Later, in order to speak for McGrady, some fans changed this sentence to "If it were last year, I would already be thinking about my opponents in the next round."

So this, like Iverson's training, has become a meme.

It's just that Anthony was playing tricks at this time, and Lin Ying felt dizzy when he heard it.

Brother, can't we change to something else to play with?

This is not a good joke!

All I can say is that Anthony is so casual!

…

G5 of the series will be played in San Antonio, and this time there will still be a three-day break.

At this time, the league announced the third batch of awards, Sportsmanship Award and Best Defensive Player.

The best defensive player was won by Celtics' Garnett. He averaged 9.2 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 1.3 blocks per game in the regular season.

This is also the first time in Garnett's career that he has been elected DPOY.

Interestingly, Camby ranked second in this selection, averaging 13.1 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 3.6 blocks per game.

Lin Ying also received votes and ranked eighth.

This ranking may seem a little low, but it’s actually pretty good.

Because ahead of him are Battier, Bowen, Kobe, Josh Smith, Howard, and Paul.

Behind him is Duncan.

Except for Camby's random intrusion, everyone else's defensive capabilities are solid.

So you can better understand why Ginobili's honors are so pitiful.

In this era where a hundred flowers are blooming, getting an honor is like competing in a round of the finals with someone else.

The sportsmanship award went to Grant Hill of the Suns.

This is the second time Hill has received this honor since the 2004-2005 season, and he has become the only player in history to win this honor twice.

However, the Suns are not in a very good situation now, so they have the home court advantage, but they are already 1-3 behind and on the verge of elimination.

Let’s talk about a matchup between other groups in the Western Conference.

The Lakers have swept the Mavericks 4-0, and the Hornets have led the Rockets 3-1.

If nothing else happens, the second round will be the Lakers vs. Nuggets, and the Hornets vs. Jazz.

…

The day before G5.

AT&T Training Center in San Antonio.

The Spurs are still closed to the outside world for training.

Duncan did not show up for training.

The Spurs' morale is obviously low.

Popovich frowned.

In NBA history, only three defending champions have been eliminated in the first round of the second round.

The last team was the 2006 championship Mavericks, and the next one was, yes, the Spurs.

If this happens again, like Hill before, he will become the only player in history to score twice.

But compared with Hill's, his reputation obviously doesn't have a good reputation.

But now he can't do anything.

Duncan's unexpected injury this time and the information he received from the team doctor indicate that he must make early plans.

If you continue to only fuck Duncan like in the past, then it will really be a hammer!

Just as Popovich was thinking about it, suddenly there was a commotion among the people training on the court.

He turned around and saw a familiar yet unexpected figure.

Duncan!

Moreover, he is still wearing training clothes!

Didn't the team doctor tell him that Duncan wouldn't be able to play in the next games?

Why is Duncan still here and wearing training clothes like this?

After the accident, he turned around and walked towards Duncan and communicated for a while.

He originally thought that Duncan was here to boost morale, but he was wrong.

"Old man, I'm ready to go on stage tomorrow night."

It's a very simple sentence, but it gives people an unspeakable feeling.

"Your injury?"

Popovich hesitated to speak.

“Better than expected.”

Duncan said it very calmly and tactfully.

Popovich glanced at the team doctor who came with him.

The team doctor forced a smile and nodded reluctantly.

"Old man, it's much better than before. I have one and a half legs. It's no problem to fight."

Duncan knew Popovich's character and finally told the truth.

"This is my choice, and believe me, I have discretion."

After Duncan finished speaking, he didn't say much. After habitually pressing Popovich's shoulder, he went to greet the players.

Soon, there was a burst of cheers from the Spurs players.

Duncan's return is undoubtedly the best shot in the arm for them!

Looking at Duncan, Popovich finally agreed to Duncan's choice.

Although he was very reluctant, he suddenly realized that it was the master of psychology in front of him who had pushed him to this point.

Then admit it!

Although this will make Lin Ying and others gloat for the time being, after staying in this alliance for so long, he understands another truth:

History is written by the victors!
To be continued...